Hidden within an historic Cotswolds property, a modern interior design awaits.
Hey there, let's take a peek at this fabulous Cotswold stone house - a former orchard now transformed by the clever touches of Julie and Neil Daniells. They aimed for a contemporary vibe within a period setting, and they bloody nailed it! Word is, they didn't want anything too fancy or over-the-top, just comfortable and welcoming for family and guests.
So, let's see how these savvy homeowners brought their dream place to life:
Exterior
Julie gave the exterior a whole new look by slapping on some badass Tikkurila paint (mixed to a fashionable dark taupe) on those uPVC windows. Inside, the windows received a charcoal makeover, adding character both inside and out. The new slate-style tiles on the garden room, which was originally a conservatory, provide a damn cool contrast against the clay terracotta tiles on the main roof.
Garden
It's no wonder this gorgeous Cotswold stone house boasts an intimate connection with its garden, what with all those apple and pear trees once growing there. While Julie and Neil took care of the indoors, they enlisted local garden style queen, Lucy Bravington, to whip the outside into shape.
"I live out there in summer," Julie spills. "The garden is just as important to me as the interior."
Garden Room
First off, the couple replaced the conservatory's glass roof, feeling it'd make the place a sauna in summer and an icebox in winter. In its place, they laid some badass slate-look roof tiles, which fit perfectly without any fancy engineering work. They also installed a couple of très chic roof lights and fitted 'em with non-reflective glass to drench the room in sunlight while keeping the adjoining sitting room from going too dark. To make sure the room stays cozy in winter, they tossed in a couple of radiators, and hung some sparkly fairy lights around the window ledge for a touch of evening magic.
Kitchen
The kitchen was in pretty good shape when they moved in, but Julie gave it a nice facelift by cleaning and sealing the ceramic tiles and painting the hardwood cabinetry in a smoky charcoal hue (Charcoal by Neptune, to be exact).
Dining Area
The dining area's all open and airy thanks to Julie's elegant choices. That pale wooden table and leather chairs suit the space like a glove, while those giant white pendant lights add a modern twist.
Hallway
You guessed it—the huge hall and landing were what initially drew Julie to the house. The original staircase's varnish had turned orange by the time they moved in, but Julie had it sandblasted away and painted a chalky white to keep things light and bright.
Sitting Room
This room is the heart of the house, with a massive inglenook fireplace. Julie went a bit darker here, choosing a sumptuous deep green (Downpipe by Farrow & Ball) to create a rich, comfy feel. A light ceiling and floor keep the room from feeling overwhelming.
Main Bedroom
In the master bedroom, Julie added some texture with paneling, which she painted in a smoky gray-blue (Charleston Gray by Farrow & Ball). A large brass light adds a touch of luxury, while a soft sheepskin rug and a Welsh wool throw from Melin Tregwynt add layers of cozy comfort.
Guest Bedroom
The guest bedroom's colors lean coastal, with wall paneling borrowed from The English Panelling Company and a four-poster bed from Neptune.
Bathroom
Julie got creative in the bathroom by upcycling a chest into a cute little vanity unit. A dash of patterned floor tiles from Fired Earth adds some visual interest.
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- The garden room, once a conservatory, received a modern makeover with the replacement of the glass roof, installation of slate-style tiles, roof lights with non-reflective glass, radiators, and fairy lights for cozy evening illumination, aiming to provide a comfortable and welcoming space for outdoor living.
- Recognizing the significance of the garden and its intimate connection with the house, Julie and Neil sought the help of local garden style queen, Lucy Bravington, to design and shape the outside area, ensuring it complements the interior-design and lifestyle of the home-and-garden.
- In their quest for a contemporary vibe within a period setting, Julie and Neil insulated their Cotswold stone house with a Tikkurila paint finish for the exterior and a charcoal makeover for the interior windows, maintaining a balance between the original and the modern elements of their dream home.
